SEVEN HILLS The Buzz
A Brief Word from Chris Garten
september 21, 2010
Duke Snyder inducted into Seven Hills Wall of Fame
In the opening weeks of school, skilled teachers engage their students in establishing the rules of classroom discourse. What work habits are expected? Who gets to talk and when? How are students expected to interact with their teachers? With each other? How are we encouraged to support one another in our learning? Every time I witness these exchanges, it strikes me afresh how important are these cultural expectations. How classroom furniture is arranged, established protocols for giving and receiving help and for listening and responding to one another: these all send a powerful message. They are our “hidden curriculum,” and in the aggregate they account, more than any other factor, for the warm and purposeful relationships I see everywhere on this campus. From a host of interactions in these beginning weeks, our students get one clear message: at Seven Hills learning is a team sport, and each of our students is responsible for helping to sustain this unique and engaging culture. It takes time to build, but it is certainly worth the effort. Chris Garten, Head of School
Outstanding SAT, AP results! 800s on SAT, SAT Subject Tests Ten members of the Seven Hills Class of 2011—14% of the class—and three members of the Class of 2012 scored 800s on 20 SAT and SAT Subject Tests, as of the June testing. One student scored a perfect 2400 on the SAT. In addition, six students had perfect scores on sections of the ACT. The following members of the Classes of 2011 and 2012 scored 800s on the SAT and SAT Subject Tests: Gabe Blanco, SAT
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Chris Garten, Isabelle Kalubi, Peter Briggs, Benjamin van der Horst, Jonathan Hawgood, Marty Gerhardt, Dick Snyder, Scott Kaufman, Elliott Anderson. Not pictured: Terry Nicholl. Photo by Keith Neu.
Congratulations to Richard “Duke” Snyder, Seven Hills Athletic Director, on his induction into the Seven Hills Athletic Wall of Fame, an honor established in 1998 “to honor Seven Hills athletes and teachers who have contributed to the athletic program in significant ways.” That would be an understatement in describing the contributions of Dick Snyder, now in his 36th year of directing athletics and physical education at Seven Hills. The plaque marking his induction states: “Seven Hills Athletic Director and Head of the Physical Education Department; Personification of the Seven Hills values and sportsmanship in thoughts and actions; Beloved coach (Varsity Boys Basketball 1981-93, Cross Country 1983-88, Track 1983, Golf 1989); Dedicated teacher of the importance of winning in life and inspirational mentor to many; SWOBCA Coach of the Year 1989-90; Miami Valley Conference President 1996-98.”
This description came to life in the words of the alumni and others who shared their experiences with Duke Snyder as students, athletes, teachers, and fellow coaches at his induction—the culminating activity of Seven Hills Sports Day, a day of alumni vs. varsity sports competition—on August 15. The many members of the Seven Hills community who gathered to honor Duke nodded their heads in affirmation as the speakers recounted their experiences and expresssed their gratitude to their teacher and mentor, coach and colleague. 1987 alumnus Jonathan Hawgood served as master of ceremonies, and speakers included Head of School Chris Garten, former Headmaster Peter Briggs, boys soccer coach Terry Nicholl, and the following alumni athletes, some of whom continued careers in athletics after graduation: Isabelle Kalubi (’00), Benjamin van der Horst (’05), Marty Mueller Gerhardt (’85), Scott Kaufman (’86), and Elliott Anderson (’85).
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